3D Printing

3D Printed Prosthesis Project​Successfully print parts for a prosthesis fit for individuals without the use of their hands

Traditionally, animation is the layering of frames in time sequence to create movement and ideally life to objects. Yet take 3D Printing, it’s a layering process as well, yet it’s done in the space to create a physical form. The great challenge is to represent feelings, emotion and/or life to a material object, and 3D prints i believe give a concept physical form and is brought to life over a series of layered slices. For my digital artefact for example, I’m printing parts for a prosthetic hand that will maneuovour similarly to a human hand with tendons. It’s been described as “not simply a tool” but more a projection of the users limb. The prosthetic therefore is limited to the imagination to bring it to life as its function is to replicate life, as part of a human body.

​I’ve found that explaining my thoughts in a Paint document helps to identify what I mean about the layering process for animation against 3D printing.

The Journey...

STL File > Print

Work in progress of a digital artefact that will revolutionise the way prosthetic limbs are accessed

So far issues relating to the hand is minor and easily overcome with more time and development of the project. These inlcude the size of the hand being different to what I was expecting, yet I’ve went along with it and hopefully can make the same impact on a child, or person with a small wrist. Secondly was the support material from the Right extruder of the Dreamforge was making the holes for the screws to insert into blocked and therefore unusable. This problem happened to the fingers and gauntlet, yet was overcome with the fingers and palm by disabling this feature. The gauntlet will (if time permits) have to be redone trialling this method.Otherwise this is a progressive video detailing the ease in which this platform offers its users.

Encountered a few issues with the first hand, so I decided to print another! The task seemed silly, but with a “prototype” i was able to come across problems to hopefully finish this time-consuming task. I’ve loved every minute and would like to thank Owen and the 3D Printing Workshops run to successfully print all the parts for my prosthetic hand. (As well as some novelty items along the way)Now, I’ve got to assemble the hand.

So upon making and constructing my Cyborg Beast Prosthetic Hand, I’ve run into some minor set backs that I’ve had to address and overcome. This is a look at what kind of things to consider when making the hand. It’s been a lot of fun and a great learning process. Also, if you’re thinking about doing your own and I haven’t covered it this video, or even something related to 3D Printing, drop me a message and I’ll see if I can help! so check it out

3D Printed prosthetic has been constructed and as apart of the process I’ve filmed the assembly to show how I was able to combine my skills learnt. Total time to print was around two and a half hours, which included a broken gauntlet (therefore a reprint in white) and sourcing all the materials needed to assemble it. To buy the screws and other materials needed for this cost me around $35 in total. This is in comparison to upwards of thousands of dollars spent on regular static prosthesis.

A short post showing the practicality of the 3D Printed Prosthetic I’ve created for my digital artefact at the University of Wollongong. I travelled to Kurrajong for this volunteer, and she was able to strap her arm and hand in and wear the working prosthetic. She gave me some valuable feedback that will allow me to improve the gauntlet for future works.The gauntlet is suited for those missing their hand from the wrist down, and will fit people of most sizes with this deficit, however, in order to showcase this I had to use a small child’s clenched fist as this size resembles most others wrist. In other words, if my hand was removed this prosthesis would fit me.

I’ve had a lot of people approach me when discussing the 3D Printed prosthetic hand and say, “but it can’t do…” or “that’s impractical for…”, so, i decided to make a lighter video about some of the many things this artefact CAN do! There’s a lot of things we take for granted having both hands and this shows that if someone in need were to receive this prosthesis, the everyday things they’d be able to enjoy!A big thanks to my friend Beaumont, who shines in his performance within the video! Thanks for all the support along the way and lookout for bigger and better things in the future!